Singapore leaders told not to issue irritating statements against Malaysia

Singapore leaders told not to issue irritating statements against Malaysia

Agencies, Kuala Lumpur

Singapore was told on Friday to stop making statements that could
"irritate" Malaysia.

Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz said that "certain people" in
Singapore had lately made remarks that appeared to intentionally
"bring irritation to our bilateral relations."

"Singapore, if it regards Malaysia as a good neighbor in
ASEAN, then don't do or say anything that will irritate
Malaysia," Rafidah told a press conference.

"Malaysia doesn't like to have any frictions with anyone,
especially with a neighbor that's so close to us."

Rafidah was commenting on a report in Friday's Malay-language
newspaper Utusan Malaysia that a youth leader of Singapore's
People's Action Party (PAP) had described Malaysian journalists
as "wild animals."

She was also asked about Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's recent
remarks that he failed to understand why the Malaysian media was
harping on a Singapore land reclamation project as it was within
its own boundary.

Rafidah said Malaysia had a right to make its observation as
the project could affect its maritime boundary and obstruct its
sea lane.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday that
Malaysia wants assurances from Singapore that a controversial
land reclamation project will not affect the deepest point of the
Straits of Johor that separate the countries.

A change in the depth of the waterway could affect shipping,
and "Singapore needs to take all these factor into account,"
Mahathir was quoted as saying by the Malaysian news agency,
Bernama.

Malaysia has expressed concern over Singapore's land
reclamation program in the Tebrau Strait separating the two
countries.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Friday he hoped the
disagreement over Singapore's project could be handled amicably.

"I believe this matter can be handled properly. I hope we can
discuss in the spirit of neighborliness and find a solution for
our common benefit," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news
agency.

Syed Hamid said there was "no need to add" to issues which
have created friction between the two neighbors since Singapore
became independent from the Malaysian Federation in 1965.

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's visit to
Malaysia from March 11-14 would boost ties between the two
countries, he added.